Portage County Historical Society to launch county timeline as part of America250 events

By Patrick Lynn

PORTAGE COUNTY — The Portage County Historical Society will release a new county history timeline Monday as part of its local efforts to mark the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The Portage County Timeline for America250 highlights key moments in local history and connects them to major events in the broader American story. Organizers say the goal is to help residents see how the county’s past fits into the country’s past — and where it may be headed next.

The timeline is one of several programs planned by the historical society leading up to the United States’ semiquincentennial.

Last month, the group hosted a presentation titled “From Poland to Patriot: Casimir Pulaski in the American Revolution.” Two additional talks are scheduled this spring as part of the America250 Speaker Series: “1700s–1800s: Changes for Native Peoples of Wisconsin” at 6:30 p.m. March 16 and “Wisconsin Residents in the Revolutionary War” at 6:30 p.m. May 12.

The organization also plans to debut a special America250 exhibit inside the Hei Corners School at Heritage Park in Plover. The exhibit is expected to open in time for the One Room Schoolhouse Experience, which begins April 27.

A virtual version of the exhibit will launch on the society’s website in May to make the material accessible to people who can’t visit the museum in person.

To involve younger residents, the historical society is also organizing a countywide button design contest for Portage County students, inviting children to create artwork reflecting what America means 250 years after the nation’s founding.

More information about the timeline, events and other America250 programming is available at pchswi.org or by emailing [email protected].